| Company Journal | On 15 February 1655 in the Company Journal, as translated: Seven volunteers provisioned for three weeks, leave for inland, under command of the cadet Jan Wintervogel, late captain of the Brazilians in Brazil, which land, he explored as far as the South Sea, helping to discover the silver mines of Chiera – a good explorer hence entrusted with the command to see whether any other natives and better minerals than about here might be found. Takes with him for trade 6 lbs. tobacco, 6 lbs. copper, and some beads and knicknacks, &c. Is to persuade the natives to come and trade, as undoubtedly Herry has been frightening them; consequently expedient to have him with us again by friendly means and promise of pardon which may occur, as his friend Lubbert is already hanging about the fortress and being treated kindly.2
On 3 April 1655 in the Company Journal, as translated: Arrival of the Provintie with Starthenius on board – Councillor of India – had left Zealand on the 18th Nov. and touched at Cape Verde; crew fairly well – had only lost 7 men. The Phenix had 10 deaths and the Blommendaal 2. The Coningh David and Maagd van Enckhuysen, which had left on 7th Dec., had no dead, as is usually the case with large ships; excepting scurvy they have hardly any sick, only some scurvy patients – all the 6 ships to be well refreshed as long as they are here. Jan Wintervogel and his men return, having left behind Jan de Vos who had died from eating too many bitter almonds – reported that they had been about miles inland and met a native of very small stature, poorly fed, quite wild, and clothed with skins as the Hottentoos, and almost talking as the latter do. Had also found some 70 or 80 Saldanhars in different troops about 15 miles away, with numerous cattle and sheep, anxious to obtain copper and tobacco but not desirous of coming to the fort because of Herry's friends being there. Had also met some Souquaas called fishermen and enemies of the Watermen and Saldanhars without any cattle, who had approached us fully armed; did not attack us, gave them some tobacco and beads. The large troop of apparently real Saldanhars with many cattle were very friendly, and by no means of a begging disposition, always at once giving something in return for what they received, very much inclined for trade, especially tobacco, but would not come to the fort because of Herry's friends – would come when they were gone – whenever they came to us they laid down their weapons – we treated them well. These Saldanhars could give us no information about Herry, but the Sonquaas laughed at us when we spoke of him, just as his friends here do, saying that he is far inland, though daily we see his wife and children among them.3 |
